Gov.'s inspector general investigating state grant

CHICAGO – Gov. Pat Quinn's inspector general is investigating an influential Chicago organization's use of a $98 million state grant.

The Chicago Sun-Times reported the office asked the state Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to produce documents related to the United Neighborhood Organization grant. UNO received the funds to build and renovate charter schools.

The Feb. 14 letter states that the Office of the Executive Inspector General "is conducting an official investigation."

It was issued about 10 days after the Sun-Times reported that UNO gave contracts worth millions of dollars to companies connected to the organization's top officials.

In a statement Friday, UNO says it recognizes the need to improve its internal procurement process and has hired a former federal judge to conduct an independent analysis.